Collapsible rack



' 1,612,903 D. H. BITNEY coLLAPs 11m:l RACK Jan. 4, 1927.

Filed August 2, 1926 INVENTOR Davey 15E/tney M55-XB @f www( gaby? A TTORNEYS Patented Jan.; 4, 1927.

UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE.

DEWEY H. BITNEY, OF ALBION, MICHIGAN, -ASSIGNOR TO UNION STEEL 'PRODUCTS COMPANY, F ALBION, MICHIGAN.

I" COLLAPSIBLE BACK.

`The main object of this invention is tov provide an improved wire rack for the display of merchandise in boxes or receptacles, such as cooky-caddies orthe like, which is strong and rigid when erected and may be collapsed in a compact form for storage or shipment.

A further object is to provide an improved rack which is well adapted to support a plurality of'boXes so that the contents are effectively displayed and the boxes may be individually opened Without removing from the rack.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my improvements will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims. v

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a rack embodying the features of my 1nven.

tion in erected form with receptacles 01' boxes in position thereon.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the rack collapsed.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section through the upper part of the rack showing the relation of a receptacle to the shelf members or receptacle supports.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary'sectlon showingv the. relation of a receptacle to the lower shelf members or supports.

Referring to the drawing, in the embodiment illustrated my improved rack comprises a pair of end members and a pair of s ide members pivotally connected to collapse upon each other longitudinally ofthe rack. The end members comprise uprights 1, 1 formed of wire of suitable gage, preferably of one piece, the wire being folded'upon itself to provide a top cross member 2, the ends of the arms thusprovided being folded into loopsto provide feet 3 and the braces 4. Cross'pieces 5`l are disposed adjacent the lower ends of the end member uprights provided with eyes 6 "at their ends.v

The side members comprise uprights 7 also preferably formed of a single piece of wire or rod folded upon itself to provide the top cross piece 8, the ends of the uprights being bent inwardly and upwardly and disposed in crossed relation providing diagonal braces 9.

The end members are also provided with cross pieces 10 and 11 projecting beyond the end uprights and terminating in eyes 6, the cross piece 10 having a central eye 12 while the cross piece ll has a pair of eyes 13, these eyes and the eyes 6 being formed by coils in the cross pieces.

A pair of rod-like shelf members 14 are engaged in the eyes 13, these rods 14 having downturned ends engaging the eyes and providing a pivotal connection. A corresponding rod 15 is engaged in the eyes 12. The rods 14 are disposed in a plane below the top pieces 8 of the side members to coact therewith and support a receptacle 16 arranged as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

A shelf supporting member 17 is arranged i onv the front side member ina plane above -V the rod 15 while a pair of shelf supporting members .18 are arranged on the rear side member in a plane above the rod 17, these members coacting with the member 15 in providing a shelf for the receptacle 16 which is arranged therein as shown `in Fig. 4, one

corner of the receptacle being engaged be-` tween the shelf members 18.

This provides an accurate locating means for the articles arranged on the lower shelf so that the receptacles on the shelves are presented in substantially the same position, that is, the two receptacles on the lower shelf would be properly alined and also in proper position to make their contents readily accessible.

Withthe parts thus arranged the rack may be collapsed for shipment or storage, as shownin Fig. 2, very compactly, and when set up the. structure is strong and rigid. Further, the structure is very economical to produce and is light in weight for shipment and handling.

I have .illustrated my improvements in a small size rack only and yhave not attempted to illustrate the same in other embodiments which might require additional bracing. It is believed, however, that the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my 'improvements 'as may be desired.

Having thus described I claim as new anddesire ters Patent is:

my invention what ,to secure by Let- 4and longitudinal members disposed on said uprights in planes above said shelf members to cooperate therewith in forming a shelf, there being a pair of the said longitudinal members disposed on the rear side member above the lower shelf member and in spaced relation to each other to receive a corner of a receptacle resting on the bottom shelf member and on one of the front longitudinal members. v I

2. In a collapsible rack, .the combination of end member uprights, upper and lower cross pieces disposed on said uprights with their ends projecting beyond the uprights and having coils at their ends and interme,- diate the uprights, the upper cross pieces each having afpair of spaced eyes and the lower cross piece having centrally disposed eyes, rodlike shelf -members engaged in said intermediate eyes 1n said crosspieces, and

' side members comprising uprights engaging -in said eyes at the Iends of said cross pieces,

and longitudinal members disposed on said uprights in planes above said. shelf members to cooperate therewith in forming a shelf.

3. In a collapsible rack, thecombination of end member uprights, cross pieces disposed on said uprights with their ends projecting beyond the uprights and having coils at thelr ends and intermediate the uprights,

rod-like shelf members engaged in said intermediate eyes in said" cross pieces, and-side members comprisingy upri hts engaging in said eyes at the ends of said cross pieces, and

longitudinal members disposed on said uprights in planes above said shelf members to' cooperate therewith in forming a shelf,'there being a -pair of the said longitudinal members disposed on the rear side member above the lower shelf member and in spaced relation to each other to receive a corner of a receptacle resting on the bottom shelf member vand on one of the front longitudinal members.

4. In a collapsible rack, the combination of end member uprights, cross pieces disj posed on said uprights with their ends projecting beyond the uprights and having coils at their ends andintermediate the uprights, rod-like shelf members engaged -in said intermediate eyes in said cross pieces, and side members comprising uprights engaging in said eyes at the ends of said cross pieces and longitudinal members disposed on said uprights in planes above said shelf members to cooperate therewith in forming a shelf.

5. In a collapsible rack, the combination of end members comprising uprights, cross pieces carried thereby and provided with eyes intermediate the uprights, side members pivotally connected to said end members, shelf members engaged in said eyes on said end member cross pieces, andlongitudinal members on said side members disposed in planes above and in coacting relation to said shelf members engaged with said eyes. 6. In a collapsible rack, the combination ofend membersa side members pivotally connected to said end members to permit the longitudinal collapsing of said side and end members, rod-like shelf members carried by said side members, and coacting rod-like shelf members pivotally mounted on said end members in planes below the shelf members on said side members to coactv therewith in providing an article supporting shelf.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand. p

DEWEY n; BITNEY.A 

